Follow the Flow
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 7/2021
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Dear Dharma friends,
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There is a rhythm in the natural world that points to something about us. In many parts of the world, animals go into long periods of hibernation during the winter. It’s as if it is time for them to put all activities aside to become hermits and savor the nectar of samadhi by doing nothing. How sweet it sounds. On the other hand, the wrath of winter freezes the earth, turns rivers into ice, and nothing blooms. Many of the trees lose their colorful leaves and the skies turn gray. But spring eventually arrives, the ice melts and rivers begin to flow freely, and the flora and fauna come alive once again.
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There is a similarity between the rhythmic changes of the external world and the state of our interior world. Just as with the cycles of nature, there are countless times on our spiritual journey when our heart easily opens, ego’s defenses are melted miraculously, and love, joy and compassion spontaneously arise. When we experience such an inner opening, we may feel that our consciousness is on track to ascend forever and it will never go back to where it was. Such bliss can last for months and even years. However, this happy ride will eventually include many hurdles as well.
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On many occasions people ask me, “ I have been meditating for a long time and I used to feel that I was making progress, but not any more. What shall I do?” This question often arises when we feel stuck in our old patterns after losing that sense of bliss. It's like being stuck in a thick, internal swamp that we can't escape no matter how much effort we exert. There’s no singularly perfect answer that solves such a conflict, but we’re not alone in this struggle. Almost everyone will experience this sense of being stuck, so we don’t need to be discouraged from continuing our dharma practice. It’s simply part of the process for everyone. Even great yogis who are held in the highest regard have had to go through many of the same difficulties that each of us face sooner or later.
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When we feel that we’re no longer making progress and that we’re still dealing with the same old kleshas, hopelessness and self judgment can easily become the most powerful hindrances on the path. Instead of succumbing to them, we can realize that this is a process most people go through. All we need to do is continue on the path and trust that light will shine, just like spring naturally unfolds after a long winter.
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During this upcoming Sojong, you might like to see if you’re witnessing such inner contraction at this time in your life, and try to hold it with this all-embracing perspective. Trust that your consciousness is changing as long as you continue to practice the true dharma, and wait for many levels of inner awakening to be revealed on their own.
With palms joined,
Anam Thubten
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